FAQs: Printing, Collecting and Labeling Specimens

  • A list of label printers and corresponding locations are located on each WOW. Using the name from this list, select the appropriate printer. Consider selecting each printer for your unit as the system will save the printers recently used. Select printers for your unit once and thereafter, you can see just these by using “Recently Used” tab.

  • Blood Bank Labels can be printed once. Type and Screen labels will print to a designated label printer which may be different from the label printer selected to print Lab Ready Labels. For lost or damaged Blood Bank Labels please follow downtime protocols and use a Generic ADT label (the collector will write VUNetID, date and time of collection on the label).

  • No labels can be printed during downtime. Prior to any planned downtime Generic ADT Labels will need to be printed for all patients. Patients that are admitted during a downtime will receive Downtime Labels since the Generic ADT Lables cannot be printed. Since bar code scanning can’t be used to perform positive patient ID, the collector must write VUNet ID, date and collection time on the label. A Downtime requisition/order must accompany the sample to the lab.

  • Print a generic label and affix to the specimen if it is taken out of the room for point of care testing.

  • On the Print Label screen the entire text of the order is visible including processing instructions.

  • Enter an "IV Team Consult" order in eStar using the "per activated protocol orders" ordering mode. Alert the IV Team and let them know where to locate the Lab Ready Labels and vacutainers. When the IV Team member draws the lab they will document the collection in eStar using the "Collect" feature.

  • Select both PCV and CBC to print labels. EStar will “net” and calculate how many tubes are needed for the tests and combine when possible. Collect a specimen for each label that is printed. Denote in eStar that both are collected.

  • Label the extra tubes of blood with Generic ADT Labels and send to the lab with the other labeled specimen tubes to be held for add-on requests. It is preferred to send the tubes to the lab for storage instead of keeping on the units/area. When "add-on" orders are entered for specimens in the lab, the Lab Ready Labels will print in the lab.

  • Both positive patient identification (PPID) and the completion of the collection task within eStar must be completed with all blood bank specimens. PPID is completed electronically via scanning or manually by completing the PPID form when electronic scanning is not available. If the paper e-requisition PPID form is used, it must be completed and it is sent with the labeled specimen to the blood bank. The collector must verify that the date on the lab ready label matches the date of collection documented in eStar. If the date of collection does not match the date on the label, the collector must hand write the collection date on the label.

  • Lab specimens may be collected early, but best practice would be NOT to collect more than 4 hours early. There is a large change for am labs, and unlike HEO requisitions, Lab Ready Labels will not batch print. Best practice is to print the labels for one patient, collect the specimens and then move on to collecting am labs for the next patient.

  • Place only one patient’s specimens per specimen transport bag.

  • Label the tubes for the blood specimens you were able to collect; place the other labels in the bag with the labeled specimen and send to the lab. The lab will try to run the other test on the specimen collected.

  • When the provider orders the blood cultures, the source must be specified—peripheral & central line or peripheral X2. Assure the correct label is applied based on the location by matching the barcode number on the eStar screen to the barcode number on the label. Do not cover the manufacturer's barcode on the bottle. Do not write on the Lab Ready Label.

  • The nurse caring for the patient may enter a new order for the test under the name of the provider who ordered the test associated with the collection error using the Per Activated Protocol mode.

  • Do not write on the Lab Ready Label–writing will interfere with the analyzers in the lab that read the bar codes and perform the tests. If labels are written on, the lab will have to replace the label and this will delay the tests—up to 4-5 hours.

  • Do not remove the Generic ADT Label. Overlay Lab Ready Label on the Generic ADT Label making sure the patient's name on the Generic ADT Label remains visible.

  • Label the specimen with a Generic ADT Label. eStar will prompt for collection information and then a paper e-requisition will print to be sent to the lab with the specimen.

  • Click the icon to the right of the collect button to open Order History click reprint order requisition. Label the specimen with a Generic ADT Label. Perform manual positive patient ID. Apply the label to the specimen. Place the paper e-requisition and the labeled specimen in the bag to send to lab. There is no need to reorder the test if “collect” has not been selected.

  • Label with a Generic ADT Label until the collection is complete. Denote start and stop times of collection. When the collection is complete enter the collection information in eStar, then print the Lab Ready Label. Do not remove the Generic ADT Label. Overlay the Lab Ready Label on the Generic ADT Label leaving the patient name visible on the Generic ADT Label. Place the container in the specimen transport bag, and take to the lab. The lab will determine the volume of urine.

  • Tubes are embossed with collection #, but you can also write with a Sharpie on the tube. Label each tube with a Lab Ready Label (don’t worry about the sequence–lab will adjust). If there are extra labels, place in bag; if there are more tubes than labels, use a Generic ADT Label to label the tubes.

  • Label the syringe with a Lab Ready Label. A particular placement is not necessary on an ABG syringe being run on the unit.

  • When placing the order for the additional test, select "ADD ON" and the label will print in the lab. If the test has already been ordered and it is confirmed that an additional specimen is not required, use the protocol order no co-signature mode to edit the order and select "ADD ON." The label will print in the lab.

  • Click collection question and denote if specimen is cath or not. Click print label once specimen is obtained. NOTE: when applying a label to a YELLOW urine tube, align the label to the top of the taper–NOT the top of the manufacturer's label.

  • Print a Generic ADT Label and once you select “Complete Order”, a generated paper requisition will print. You don’t need to write your VUNet ID and date on the e-requisition as the system captures this information when completing the order. Send labeled specimen and paper e-requisition to the lab.

  • Print the Lab Ready Labels from the Work List, place the correct label on each specimen container by matching the accession number on the eStar collection screen to the accession number on the label.